Air-conditioning device for an attic



Nov. 20, 1956 A, w. LuNasTRUM 2,770,955

AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE AFoR AN ATTIC I N V EN TOR. A ifa/*7 W andai/umATTORNEYS Nov. 20, 1956 A. w. I UNDSTRUM 2,770,955

AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE FOR AN ATTIC Filed May 17, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2@a a1/m r ,fr

ATTPNEYS N0 20, 1956 A. w. LUNDSTRUM AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE FOR ANATTIC Filed May 17, 1954- 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 a a a c: o

Wm. MN

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE FOR AN ATTICAllan W. Lundstrum, Columbus, Ohio Application May 17, 1954, Serial No.430,364

13 Claims. (Cl. 62129) This invention relates to air-conditioningdevices and relates more particularly to air-conditioning devices havingutility especially for the summer air-cooling of houses.

Modern living more and more requires the maintaining of greater comfortconditions during the summer season. The accomplishment of this withpresently available apparatus is either so expensive as to preclude itsuse in the mass market, such as exists when |houses are attempted to befully air-conditioned; or is seriously limited either by confiningair-conditioning to vone room as is done with room coolers, for isinadequate as results from the use' of attic fans. There are three basicapproaches to reduction of internal temperature in houses:

(l) "Refrigeration and Dehumidication.-If refrigeration anddehumidication is used by itself, it becomes expensive both from anequipment standpoint and an operating standpoint, because of the largecapacity re-v quired. Presently available apparatus generally requirescooling water which in many cities, due to water shortages in thesummer, is seriously restricted. In order to save water, evaporativecooling can be resorted to but this requires bulky and unsightlyequipment which is ex-` pensive and diihcult to locate physically.

(2) Circulation of Air.-Circulation of air through the attic space whichmaterially reduces ceiling temperature and, therefore, reduce-s heatgain into theliving quarters through the ceiling.

(3) "Attic Ventlation.-Attic ventilation which generally refers to a fanlocated in an attic which draws air out of the living space anddischarges it to the outside through attic openings. Attic ventilationwhich exhausts air from the living space is satisfactory only during thenight hours when the temperature of the outside air is lower than thatin the living space.

It is among the objects of this invention to combine the above threefunctions in an air-.conditioning device with such inter-relationship toone another that various elements of the equipment are used for morethan lone purpose to reduce equipment, these functions being combined insuch a way that a minimum amount of, andk small capacity, equipment isrequired to do a satisfactoryjob.

It is a further object of this invention toaccomplis'h the foregoingthrough the provision of a new and improved air-conditioning device.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

Basically the invention as embodied comprises afrelatively small (3A to11/2 ton) compression refrigerator together with necessary circulatingfans which can be mounted between 16" O. C. ceiling joist ina centralhall. All of the equipment, except a grill, is in the attic and does nottake up any living space.-

The condenser coil :of the refrigerating unit from which the extractionheat must be dissipated does not require cooling water but utilizes airblown over it by a fan.

v 2,770,955 Patented Nov. 20, i956 ICC This is standard practice in roomair conditioners but this invention utilizes a fan slightly larger thanwould otherwise be required and located in the attic space so that theair blown `over the condensing coil is circulated through the atticspace at the same time. To assure a positive circulation of this air aneasily installed membrane is provided with the equipment which can betacked to rafters and ceiling joists, thus dividing the attic space intotwo separate compartments which permits the fan to force air tocirculate through the attic space.

The device provides for two inter-related doors or dampers which allowthe same fan not only to dissipate heat from the refrigerator unit andto circulate air through the attic at the same time, but also permitsthe use of this fan for exhausting air from the living quarters when the4outside temperature makes this desirable or when it is desirable toventilate the house quickly to dissipate smoke or odors. The design ofthis apparatus permits its location in the ceiling of a central portionof the house so that refrigerated air can be directed into all for anyselected room by the simple expedient of opening or cl-osing doors asdesired. Thus, duct work is eliminated and comfort conditions may bemaintained in whatever portion -of the house it is needed at the time.However, if desired, ducts may be employed for l the house.

leading the refrigerated air from the cool air outlet to any given roomor rooms, through the employment of a duct kit ancillary to theair-conditioning unit. This, in effect, utilizes small refrigeratingcapacity which can be used in virtually the entire house as desired,instead of having the air conditioning definitely located in one room asis the case with presently available room air conditioning equipment.

The equipment is -so designed that it can be lifted into the atticthrough the opening in the ceiling which is requiredfor the grill.Equipment is separated into two sections, the refrigerating unit and theVentilating unit. This is done because the Ventilating unit by itselfwill give some measure of comfort by combining attic circulating andattic ventilation for those families who do not wish to go to theexpense of refrigerating equipment. It makes pos-sible also the additionof refrigerating equipment later without expensive building changes.

The entire device is controlled by one main switch and an operatinglever extending from the ceiling grill into thehall space where it canbe easily reached. The operating lever governs the position of theinter-related doors which in turn governs the operation of thecompressor through a mercury switch on one of the doors. 'I'he doors areso designed that they will not stay in any intermediate position whichconstitutes a safety and economy feature which prevents the compressorbeing operated unless the doors are in the proper position to conne therefrigerating effect to the atmosphere in An over-temperature cut out isprovided at any convenient place in the refrigeration circuit.I

In vthe accompanying drawings which form part of the instantlspecication land are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in whichlike numbers refer to like parts throughout the several views;

Fig. l is a fragmentary view in vertical section of a frame houseshowing a typical and illustrative attic installation of theair-conditioning device of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in section taken along the line 2 2 i of Fig. l;

. internal construction and arrangement of the device;

Fig. 4 is a view in section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; n

Fig. 5 is a View in end elevation of the device of Fig. 3 as seen fromthe lett in Fig. 3, parts of thersheathing being broken away toshow theinterior arrangement. and construction of the refrigerating unit; and,

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the wiring diagram of the device ofFig.-3.

Referringdnow more particularly to the accompanying drawings, aVentilating unit 1 and a refrigerating u'nit- 2 are mounted inside-by-side relation in the attic 3 of a typical and illustrativevtrarne house '4. For convenience, only the attic and second storyS `ofthe lhouse arefdepicted. The house is provided with the usual roofraftershand attic oor joists 7. Ventilatinglouvers and 8' at .theopposite ends ofthe atticpermit of. air circulation through the attic.

T heventilating andY refrigerating units Yare, each dimensionally of Aasize such that they may be Apreferablydisposed between and supported onapair of theoor joists 7 with` their bottom surfacesushwith'theceilingt10. To this end, each unit maybeprovided onone pair of itsoppositexsides` with adjustable ,vertically slotted angleiron brackets-9which lare remoyably'bolted to' the units forverticaladjustmentthereon,l and support ,theunits on the top of thepair of'lioorjoists. /Floor joists areordinarily spaced 16 on centers andthe kunitsaretherefore of a sizeto permit the units tobe lifted up intojthe atticthrough a suitable ceiling openingvl' ,betweeni the joists. The`openingel is preferablylocatedin acentral -location such, for example,asv that shown in-Fig. A 2, wherein it leads intortheattic from acentral upstairs'hall or foyer space 11 which, vin turn, is anked byroom spaces 12 and 13. The opening'rlO' is covered by air-directinggrilles 14 andl 1-5 removably attached to and forming part of the unitsland 2, respectively, over the opening 4Atpartitioning memberl which ispreferably a'flexible, substantially air-tight membrane suchyforexample,` as canvas, nylon sheeting,k or other closely woven textilefabric, or paper, ishungto divide the attic intocornpartrnents 17 and18.The membrane 16'is of aconguration -tol conform closely to thetransverse crosssectional shape ofthe attic and, ashere preferablyembodied, -is` of triangular configuration.V `It is substantiallysealingly secured, as by tacksA 19 (Fig. l) located at suitableintervals alongitsrbase, to one of -the'pair of ceiling `joists t7 tsupporting the -ventilating and refrigerating units 1 and.12,'respectively. Similarly, Vitis secured, as bytacksal, along itssloping sides/ro the correspondingly.located.pairtofrafters 6. Themembrane is .also of a contiguratiomto 4titclosely. around `the top andone pair of opposite sides. of .Ventilating unit 1 (Fig. 3) to :whichitmay ,tbe removably .attached kas by hooks, snaps, slide fastenersyor.other suitable securingmeans :20. '-Thusfthe membrane 16Vand theLventilatingunit 1 etectivelycontine transfer of air betweenthe.compartments 1.17....and-.t18eto a .path through the l`,Ventilatingunit, as WilLbe; described more fully, hereinafter. As will-be seenvfrom.Fig..2, both the yentlilating Land refrigerating unitsare located:inthe compartment-17.

The Ventilating .unit ,-1 `comprises .a .valved .casing 221 and aVenturi-type fan assembly-22,.thelatterbeingsremoyably mounted onVtheycasing adjacent itsfront upper end. Theconstructioni'andarrangementof the casing'j21 is'such that it may supplyair to theintake,side ofvthe.

fan ,assembly Yfrom the attic compartment :17 rfor ,the purposetofeffecting circulation of air between.the.attic compartments .17 ,and 18or, alternatively, .fromstheyspace 11 below the attic via the ceilingopening 10 for ;the purpose of effecting .attic ventilation..In;theformer case, the lower part of the casing 21 serves alsosimultaneously to.. conduct refrigerated airdeliveredJ to itfrom therefrigerating unit .2, 4baclcto the sub-ceilingspace .11 from whichitwasdrawn by the .refrgeratingunitfor cooling. .In either case,` therelatively .large volume @f .air

delivered from the output side of the fan assembly 22 is discharged'overa nnedscondensing Ycoil 23 which" is' removably mounted on and carriedby the fan assembly 22, and forms a part of the refrigerating system ofthe refrigerating unit 2.

The casing 21` is of a configuration in the embodiment of Fig. 4 toprovide superposed upper and lower airguiding sections 24 and`r`25=respectively, defining superposed..compar.tments 26,:and-f27,respectively, .which ,are adapte'd't'o be sealed Aott from each other bya hingedly mounted manually operablefvalyefmemberi. The casing 21,'ashere preferably embodied, comprisesan .internal structural-skeletonvframework 29` whichis sheathed externally by air-ealing,panls @Ufer-.a4:suitable soundinsulating and absorbing material. Advantageously, theframework 29 may be of angle iron construction and the panels 30 may beformed of panels of Celotex bolted, screwed ,or` otherwise suitablyremovably secured to .the framework v29.

-GThe` lowercompartment `27 is,pre ferably of rectangular box-shapeconguration, is yclosedat ther front and back, as seen in Fig. 4, closedat the right hand end as seen in Fig. L3,open atithe bottom, and isopenable `and clovsable atf'tlje top` bythe valve-28. "The air-directinggrill 14f1isbolted orotlierwise suitably removably secured to theframework29, overtheopen bottom. For the 'purpose of-enablingcoupling ofthe refrigerating unit2 to thelventilatingunit1 sothat `refrigeratedairmay be deliverednrfroi'nfA the refrigerating unit2 into thecompartmentfflgthe panelfBO-which would'normally cover the lefthandendof the lowerl compartment 27, as viewed in Fig.-3,-is-left`o'ltorremoved. The refrigerating unit 2 istthen adapted totvbe'abutteddirectly against this open endpasinthe'arrangementshowninFig. 3. Shouldthe refrigerating unit be^removed, ornotfinstalled for any reason,`thisopen end may be closed by application thereto of.apanel similartothepanels l30.

The upper section'ofath'e casing -21 is closed .at its opposite sides,is "openable and closable at the back by la valve 33 andr'servesv'tosupport the ain-circulating fan assembly22 wh-iclnis :disposedover theopen front of the section and is bolted, screwed Vorother'wisedetachably connected J to the Iframework 129, for Y ease of installationand removalaas a-unit. A vibration-dampening pad 31 ofv-rubber4mother-suitable vibration absorbingmaterial is preferably providedbetween-thefan assembly 22 and theframework. yThe'framework229 in theupper section 24 is# constructed and arranged to provide Yac-rectangular valve seatfi-324 sloping -upwardlyfrom `the back-toLfront of thesection andzdetningthelopening in -theback-of the section.Ahingedly -mounted-manually-operable -valve member* 33 which}isinterfrelatedwith the `valve-member 28 aswillhereinaf-ter#beltlescribed, is adapted tobe swung from -anopenupositio'mshown-in solid lines-in Fig. -4, tofaclosedposition-tin--whicht it is; seated against this-valve seallttoclose 1the--openrear ofthe-section at lwill. yAt thefsame time, thevalve-member;28isadapted.td-be movedzfromthe-solid Cline: closedposition-f shown 4in Fig. 4to the dottedllineposition-.inthe4same'fiigure to place the. compartments'iand .27 in communication.

A hinge pin 34 suitably located and journalled in the fran'ieworley 29.supportsrthe valve members: 28 .and 33;for angulanmovemeritasasunitonthehingepinaiiis between the open and closed positionsaforesaid.Manualttoperatiuntofnthisfvlyetunittis adapteditorbeeffected as ,by acrank armfsfastened to t one, .end :of` the. hinge ,pin :34 exteriorlyof the casing 21. :The crank ,arm:35..is. provided intfturntat.its,-,ou.ter:end with,.an.- .operatingt lever 36 which-,isx.preferablyflexible .and `is pivotally suspended therefrom.ftTheaJevertGaisof aylength to extendbelow theceiling I10 adistancetoenable its convenient manipulation -by-. an. operatonstationedint thespace e111. .Advantageously,:-thee leyenis fhollowf toJ permit,`ofthe-upward passagectherethrouglraof.wiring (not shown).leading from a@main manually-operable..switch:37 preferablywa Apushbntton switch, .astshownminttwhich-the lever-terminates .at

its lower end. The switch 37 serves as shown in Fig. 6 to open andclose, at will, the main circuit supplying electrical power to fanmotors 38 and 40 of the ventilating and refrigerating units 1 and 2,respectively. The motor 38 drives a fan 39 of the fan assembly 22, andthe motor 40 drives a fan 41 of a fan assembly 42 of the refrigeratingunit 2.

The valving or damper unit formed by the valve members 28 and 33 ispreferably of integral construction and is keyed or otherwise lixedlyconnected to the hinge pin 34 so as to be actuable by the lever 36. Thevalve members 28 and 33 are inclined to each other at a suitable angle Aso that in the solid line terminal position of the valving unit as shownin Fig. 4 the valve member 28 will be seated against a valve seat 29formed by the framework 29, and the valve member 33 will be in a fullyopen position. ln this position air can ilow to the intake side of thefan assembly 22 only through the open back of the casing 21, thecompartments 26 and 27 being cut olf from each other by the valve member28.

In the dotted line terminal portions of the valving unit, the valvemember 28 will be out of contact with the valve seat 29 and the valvemember 33 will be seated on the valve seat 32. ln this position whichcorresponds to the dash-dot line position of Fig. 4, air will flow tothe intake side of the circulating fan 39 from the upper compartment 26into which air is drawn from the lower compartment 27. Under thesecircumstances, air can be continuously exhausted from the sub-ceilingspace 11 into the compartment 27 primarily via the air intake grill 14and, to a lesser extent, viathe air intake grill of the refrigeratingunit 2i).

The inclination of the valve members 28 and 33 to each other taken withthe back to front inclination of the valve seat 32 ensures that thevalving unit will not stay in any position intermediate the terminalpositions above mentioned. Accordingly, a mercury-switch or othersuitable position-responsive switch 45 is carried by the valve member 28for closing and opening a circuit supplying electrical power to the fanmotor 40 and the compressor motor 56 of the refrigerating unit 2, inaccordance with the position of the valve member 23. Thus, with thevalve member 28 in its closed position, corresponding to the solid lineposition ofthe valve members shown in Fig. 4, the switch 45 is on, asshown in Fig. 6, and the refrigerating unit motors 40 and 56 canoperate. Conversely, when the valve member 28 is in its open positioncorresponding to its dash-dot line position as shown in Fig. 4, theSwitch 45' is off and the refrigerating unit motors cannot operate. Thisconstruction and arrangement of the valve members 28 and 33 andptheirvalve seats 29 and 32, respectively, to ensure that the valving unitcannot stay in an intermediate position, constitutes a safety andeconomy feature which prevents the refrigerating unit being operatedunless the valves are in the proper position to confine therefrigerative eiect to the atmosphere in the sub-ceiling space. It willbe understood that an over-temperature cut-out may be provided inconjunction with the compressor motor 5.6 so that in the event of anyexcessive rise lin temperature in the refrigerating unit 2 including itscondensing coil unit 23, it will be automatically shut olf.

The refrigerating unit 2 as such comprises a casing 46 providing acompartment 47 containing the Venturi-type fan assembly 42 and asuitable nned refrigerating coil 4S. The casing is closed at its top,and is open at the bottom and at its right hand side as viewed inFig.`3. The fan assembly 42 is suitably disposed in relation to the openbottom to draw air from the hall space 11 via the grill le' into thecompartment 47 and to discharge this air over the refrigerating coil 48through the abutting open sides of the casings 21 and 46 into the lowercompartment 27 of the Ventilating unit 1. Since the valve member 28 isclosed in this case, this refrigerated air is discharged from thecompartment 27 back to the hall space 11 via the ceiling grill 14. Therefrigerating coil unit 48 is suitably disposed within the casing 45 inrelation to the open side of the casing so that all of the airdischarged into the compartment 27 of the Ventilating unit passesthrough the coil and is cooled on its way to the compartment 27.Advantageously, the casing 45 is of rectangular box-like configurationand comprises a structural framework 49 sheathed with removable panels50 of suitable sound absorbing and insulating material. Advantageously,also, the casing 45 is of matching conliguration in vertical crosssection as viewed in Fig. 4, to the lower section 25 of the Ventilatingunit 1, the abutting side openings of each being complementary and theunits being bolted or otherwise suitably releasably coupled together inair-tight, or substantially air-tight relation to each other along theirabutting sides.

The refrigerating coil unit 48 is suitably connected in closed circuitwith the compressor unit 56 and the cooling coil unit 23 by means ofsuitable connecting pipes 55, 57 and 58 in a manner that will be obviousto those skilled in the art.

A sump or collecting basin 59 is disposed beneath the refrigerating coilunit as indicated in Fig. 3 for collecting water condensed out of theair onto the refrigerating coil. The condensate is drained from the sumpthrough a suitable drain pipe 60 which may be disposed to conduct thecondensate to the house exterior as shown in Fig. 1.

In the operation of the combined Ventilating-refrigerating system shownfor the purpose of refrigeration and:V dehumidication of air in theliving space and for circulation of air through the attic space, thedouble door valving unit formed by the valve members 28 and 33 will havebeen manually pre-set by means of the lever 36 to the position shown inFig. 4 wherein the valve member 33 is fopen and thus so inclined as byits own weight to maintain the valve member 28 in closed position. Themain switch 37 if now manually actuated to on, closes the parallelcircuits to the Ventilating fan motor 39, the refrigerating unit fanmotor 40 and the compressor motor 56. The fan 39 when in rotation drawsair from the attic space 17 and discharges it over the condensing coil23 to the space` 18 from which it escapes through the Ventilating louvre8. Fresh cooler replacement air enters the space 17, through theventilating louvre 8 thus providing attic circulation. Under thesecircumstances, no air is drawn from the sub-ceiling spaces 11, 12 and 13by the Ventilating fan 39 since the valve member 28 is in closedposition. However, the fan 4d of the refrigerating unit 2 draws air fromthe living space through the ceiling grill 15, and forces it' throughthe refrigerating and dehumidifying coil unit 48 into the compartment 27of the Ventilating unit 1. The cooled air from the compartment isdischarged therefrom through the ceiling grill 14 back into the livingspace below. Simultaneously with this circulation of refrigerated air,the circulating fan 39 is moving a relatively large volume of attic airover the condensing coil 23 of the refrigerating unit. This largevolume'of airl is of a magnitude such that the extraction heat of thecondensing coil is electively dissipated without the necessity ofcooling water being provided for the purpose. It will be understood thatthe fan 39 is larger than would be required merely for heat dissipationof extraction heat from the condensing coil 23 since it must at the sametime also perform the added function of circulation 0f air through theattic space.

Assuming now that refrigeration and dehumiditcation of the air in theliving space below the ceiling 10 is not required but that atticventilation is suiicient, the lever 36 is pulled downwardly against thecounteracting weight of the valve member 33 to move the latter towardits closed position wherein it is seated on its valve seat 32.r It willbe apparent that so soon as the valve mem-- berqS passes throughzalvertical position A it will automatically-ornplete'the balance .of itsmovementfto closed PQSiOaf SLi-1.1@ it., vv.i11A then have al`Counterc1.ockwise movement :about 4the axistofithe hinge pin '34, asviewed in Fignfl. Because of the integral relationshipf thevalveniembers 28 and33, the valve ymember'28 willalso be movedYcounterclockwise on the `axis (of thehilnge pin 3A- toan -Openposition,ras thevalve memberf-33 moves to its closed position, In theopenposition ofthe valvennember 28, the mercury `switch45carriedQby thevalve member will be oli `so `that the power circuittoftherrefrigerating unit motors .40 -and156 will be open. Thedesignofthedouble door valving unit issuch that they doors i will-notVstay` in any intermediateposition ,which constitutes asafety andeconomyfeature which prevents the compressorbeing operated unless thevalving doors are in theproper.position `to .confine the .refrigeratingeffect tothe atmosphere in theliving space.

,In the fully closedlposition of the valve member 33 and .tthecorresponding fully open position lofthe valve member ;28,.fthe fan 39continuesttorotate but-can draw air only from the living space below theceiling y10. This air'ows to the fan 39 upwardlythroughthe ceilinggrilltl4 and thence via the communicating compartments 27 aand Y26vofthe Ventilating unit 1, to the suction side ofttheifan `39. Air also isdrawn upwardly by the fan 39.through the ceiling grill of therefrigerating unit 2 and thence flows to the fan via the compartments47, :27 and 26, seriatin. Thus, the-compartment 27- of the y Ventilatingunit yserves not onlyas arneansffor conductingtrefrigeratedair from the`refrigerating unit-Ito the living spacewhen the unitsiareused forrefrigeration anddehumiditication coupled .with attic circulation, `butalso serves as a means for conducting air-'from vthe -living spaceto`thetfan 39 when the unitsA are `used only for attic ventilation. Finalshut downtof both units may be etfectedgfby-moving thetmain switch 37ytolroiif.

-Theiinvention in its broader aspects `is not limited to thespecificmechanisms shown and described but departuresmay be made therefrom,within the scope of the accompanying claims, without departinggfrom Atheprinciples of the invention and lwithout sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

`What is claimed is:

1.,An air-conditioning unit comprising a Ventilating unit fortransferring air in a `confined stream optionally from either of twoseparate spacesinto an independent space; a refrigerating unit forcooling the air of one of said separate spaces whilefthe Ventilatingunit is trans ferring air from the otherito said independent-space, saidVentilating unit having a Ventilating fan for drawing air from saidseparate spaces and discharging it into said independent space andhaving valve means atsthe intake side'of said `fan for confining thesuction of said fan to `one of said separate spaces at a time, `saidValvemeans beingtpositionally adjustable for transferring-the suction ofsaidfantfrom one to the other of said separate spaces at-lwillVand saidrefrigerating `unit having a condensing coil disposed in Vthe `pathofthe air dischargedby said fan,` said Lfan having an air-movingcapacity greater than thatr equired for the necessary cooling of saidcondensing coil; and, means actuable by said Valve means for controllingthe operation of said `refrigerating unit in tresponseto the position ofsaid Valve means.

2. An air-conditioning unit comprising a Ventilating unit `for`transferring Vair in a confined stream optionally from either of twoseparate spaces into an independent space; a refrigerating unit forcooling lthe air of one of said separate spaces while the Ventilatingunitis transferring air from the other to said independent space, saidVentilating-unit having separate air-intake openings fori the Ientrancethereinto of airy from said separate spaces, havingan-air-dischargeopeningyfor'pthe discharge of the airiatctsaisindependent space having@ ventilator; fan

for -Idrawing lair through said air-intake openings tand dihatging fthefair ,through ,Said air-.discharge .'Openins, andghavingvalve means atthe intakeside of saidffan for Lclosing lone-of :said intake openings,while leaving thepther openfwherebythe fan suction Awill be applied toonlyoneo said'separate spaces ata time, saidfvalve means beingpositionally adjustable for transferring the suctiontof Lsaidhfan fromonetothe other-,oisaid-intake openings at nwill, and said refrigeratingunit .having a condensing y coil disposediinthe path of air dischargedbyusaid tan through said air-discharge opening; and, means ,i actuableby said Valve means `for controlling the operation ofsaidrefrigerating unit .in` response vto the position lof `said v,valvemeans.

3. An airconditi'oning unit comprising a ventilatingtunit fortransferring air ina confined streamoptionally `from eitherof twoseparatespaces into an independentspace; a refrigeratingunit -forcooling the air of one of said separatespaces while the Ventilating unitis `transferringnair from the othertosaid independent space, saidVentilating unit ;having;separate lair-intake` openings for .the tentrance thereinto'` of ,air from said separate. spaces, having an-ardischargefopening `for the discharge ofttheair intosaidindependentspace;having a Ventilating fan for drawing air through`saidfair-intaloeopening and discharging the air through ,saidair-discharge opening, and having valve means at/thetintake sideof saidfan for closing oneof said intakegopeningstwhle leavingthe other open,Vwherebythe `fzu1,su :tionlwillfbetapplied to only one `of said-separate spaces at-a ftime, s aid valve means being lpositionally:adjustable Vfor ttransferring the suction .of said fan from one to theother of said intake openings at will, and said `:refrigerating `unithaving a .condensing ,coil disposed-in the path of air, discharged bysaid fan through said air-discharge opening, having an air-intake.opening for the entrance thereinto of air from one of said separatespaces, havingla separatepopening for the passage of air frorntherefrigerating unit intotsaid Ventilating unit, havingacooling coildisposed in the path of flow of said airtovrsaid Ventilating unit,andvhaving a circulating -an for moving `the air lin said path .of flow;and, means actuable by said valve means for controlling the`operation-of `said refrigerating unit in response to the positionof-said valve means.

4. Adair-conditioning unit for `attic installation comprising,incombination, a Ventilating unit and a refrigerating unitpeachcomprising acasing dimensionedifor passage `I Ipvvardly `into the latticspace from the living space below through a ceiling opening between-the`units ,of apair of `adjacent lattic loor joists; a membrane fordividingthe4 attic space into separate compartments in one of :whichsaid Ventilating unit and said refrigerating unitarvetobedisposedfin-side-by-side relation over saidtopening, the casingof said Ventilating unit havingseparate Laird-intake openings for theentrance thereinto `of air from said last-mentionedscompartment and saidlivingspace, and having an lair-discharge `opening for the discharge ofVair into the vother of said attic compartments, said Ventilating unitalso comprising a `Ventilating fan`for drawing air Athrough saidair-intake openings and discharging air through said air-dischargeopening, and valve means at the intake side of said fan for closing oneof said` air-intake vopenings while leaving the other open, whereby thesuction of said fan will be applied either to f said living vspace orlto the attic compartment containing the side-by-side units, said valvemeans being positionally adjustable for transferring the suction of saidfan from one `to `the other of said intake openings at will, said`refrigerating unitfhaving a condensing coil disposed in the path of airdischarged by said fan through said airdischarge opening, said fanhaving an air-moving capacity greatertthan that required for thenecessary cooling of said-condensingcoil; and, means responsive to theposi- `tion of :said Valvemeans forinterrupting thetoperationof saidrefrigerating unit when the suction of rsaid fanis ap- I plied to saidliving space.

5. An air-conditioning unit for installation'in an attic above a livingspace comprising, in combination, a membrane for dividing the attic intoseparate compartments, said membrane having an opening for the passageof air between said compartments, a Ventilating unit to be installed inone of said compartments for transferring air optionally either from thecompartment housing the ventilating unit or from the living space intothe other of said compartments; a refrigerating unit to be installed inthe compartment with said Ventilating unit for cooling the air of saidliving space while the Ventilating unit is transferring air into theother of said compartments, said units each being dimensioned forpassage upwardly into the attic from the living space below through aceiling opening between the units of a pair of adjacent attic floorjoists, said Ventilating unit having a Ventilating fan for drawing airfrom the compartment in which it is located and from the living spaceand discharging it through the opening in said membrane into the otherof said compartments, having valve means for selectively establishing atwill communication between either the compartment housing said units andthe living space and the intake side of said fan, and said refrigeratingunit having a condensing coil disposed at the exhaust side of said fanin the path of low of air discharging therefrom, said fan having anairmoving capacity greater than that required for the necessary coolingof said condensing coil; and, means responsive to the position of saidvalve means for interrupting the operation of said refrigerating unitwhen the suction of said fan is applied to said living space.

6. An air-conditioning unit in accordance with claim 8, said valve meanscomprising separate valve members xedly connected together at an obtuseangle to form a unitary structure, said structure being mounted forlimited angular displacement between terminal positions of rest,substantially on a horizontal rotational axis with one of said valvemembers disposed to extend upwardly from the plane of said axis, wherebysaid structure will not stay in any position intermediate said terminalpositions; said position-responsive means for interrupting the operationof said refrigerating unit being carried by the other of said valvemembers; and, manually operable means for moving said structure from oneto the other of said positions.

7. An air-conditioning unit in accordance with claim 6 in which saidposition-responsive means is a mercury switch.

8. An air-conditioning unit in accordance with claim 6 in which saidmanually operable means includes a main circuit-controlling switch.

9. An air-conditioning unit for attic installation comprising aVentilating unit for transferring lair either from one end of an attic,or from a living space below the attic, to the other end of the attic;and, a refrigerating unit for cooling the air of said living space whilethe Ventilating unit is transferring air from said one end of the atticto said other end, said Ventilating unit having a large capacityVentilating fan for drawing air in large quantities either from said oneend of said 'attic or from said living space and discharging it intosaid other end of said attic and having Valve means for selectivelyestablishing at will communication between either said one end of saidattic or said living space and the intake side of said fan, and saidrefrigerating unit having an air-circulating fan for independentlycycling air from and to said living space while said Ventilating fan istransferring air from said one end of said attic to said other end, andhaving a condensing coil disposed at the exhaust side of saidVentilating fan in the path of flow of air discharged therefrom.

10. An air-conditioning unit for attic installation comprising aVentilating unit for transferring Iair in a confined stream either fromone end of an attic, or from a living space below the attic, to theother end of the attic;

said fan may be applied eit'her to said one end of said lattic or tosaid living space, said Valve means being positionally adjustable fortnansferring the suction of said fan from one to the other of said oneend of said attic space and said living space, lat will, and saidrefrigerating unit having an air-circulating fan for independentlycycling air 15` from yand to said living space while said Ventilatingfan is transferring air from said one end of said attic tosaid otherend, and having a condensing coil disposed at the exhaust side of saidVentilating fan in the path of ow of air discharged therefrom, saidVentilating fan having an air-moving capacity greater than that requiredfor the necessary cooling of said condensing coil.

l1. An air-conditioning unit for attic installation comprising aVentilating unit for transferring air in a confined lstream either fromone end of an attic, or from a living space below the attic, to theother end of the attic; and, a refrigerating unit for cooling the air ofsaid living space while the Ventilating unit is transferring air fromsaid one end of the attic to said other end, said Ventilating unithaving 'separate air-intake openings for the entrance thereinto of airfrom said one end of the attic and said living space, respectively,having an air-discharging opening for the discharge of the air therefromto said other end of said attic, having a large capacity Ventilating fanfor drawing air in large quantities through one or the other of saidair-intake openings and discharging the air through said air-dischargeopening, and having valve means at the in- -take side of said fan forclosing one of said intake openings while leaving the other open,whereby the fan suction will be 'applied to only said one end of saidattic or to said living space, at a time, said Valve means beingpositionally adjustable for transferring the suction of said fan fromone to the other of said intake openings, at will, and saidrefrigerating unit having an air-circulating fan for independentlycycling air from and to said living space while said Ventilating fan istransferring air from said one end of said attic to ysaid other end, andhaving a condensing coil disposed in the path of Iair discharged by saidVentilating fan through said air-'discharge opening.

l2. An air-conditioning unit for attic installation comprising, incombination, a Ventilating unit and a refrigerating unit each comprisinga casing dimensioned for passage upwardly into the attic space from theliving space below through a ceiling opening between the units of a pairof adjacent attic iloor joists; a membrane for dividing the attic spaceinto sepa-rate compartments in one of which said Ventilating unit andsaid refrigerating unit are to be disposed in side-by-side relation oversaid opening, the casing of said Ventilating unit having separateair-intake openings for the entrance thereinto of air from said lastmentioned compartment and said living space, and having an air-dischargeopening for the discharge of air into the other of said atticcompartments, said Ventilating unit also comprising a Ventilating fanfor drawing air through said air-intake openings and discharging airthrough said air-discharge opening, and valve means at the intake sideof said fan for closing one of said air-intake openings while leavingthe other open, whereby the suction of said fan will be applied eitherto said living space or to the attic compartment containing theside-by-side units, said valve means being positionally adjustable fortransferring the suction of said fan from one to the other of saidintake openings at will, said refrigerating unit having a condensingcoil ydisposed in the path of air discharged by said fan through saidair-discharge opening, and said fan having an air-moving capacitygreater than that required for the necessary cooling of said con-densingcoil,

dal

para-tn compartments, Said membnanefnavinaan nnening fonfhc passage vofYair between .Said ,ninpninienisnn Yentlatinginnit in be installedinfQne-fof'aaidfnnipernnentszfor tnnnsfning fair Optinnaily einherfiom-fhanfnnartninnnhonsing theiveniilntinginnitnr ,from the fliving,Spann i ini@ "the -nihr 0f Said. compartments; .anfreirigeratinsinnitiwxbe,- installed` -in fhe nrnpnnfinent with said 4VentilatingiJini,t4lfnr :cooling theyairlplsaid'giving spacewhyile `Kthe-ventilating unitis transferring airiinioithe thnrinf innidmmpartmenna ,said unitn" sashbeing dimenninnndvinr; passage upwardly/into the attic Ainfini-innlivingy Span@ 'bniQw-:ihiniish alneilins Qpeninabn inisis, Ventilating.nnii l.having "a vniiiilntingA fan .for drawingfairifrninv'thcompartiment inwhichfit is 4lncated and finni'fihnfliving ,Spann anddisnhargingiifthronsh .ibn opening in said membraneintoithetheriofgsdicompaijrnents, ghaving i valve .means forselectively` establishing Aat will,communicationbetween v, eitherthecornpartnient housingsaidunits andrthe ,living space vandiheintake`side ofsaid an,.and said refrigeatng unityhavinga condensingcoldisposed at.the exhaust `Side of said `fan in` theparh of ow-of airdischarging ftherefrom, said fan having `an ain-movingV capacity.greater` 'than `that required for the necessarycoolng offsaid condensingcoil.

; References "Cited, in the' le of` this x, patent UNITED STATES'PATENTS 2,30Q;848 "Shelton .1 Nov. 3, 51942 2,488,589 "Eberhart."Nov."22, 1949 2;682,757 'Borgerd July 6, 1954

